14 DAY TRIAL // Google has just made an important announcement for all Nexus smartphone users from many countries around the world. Google will be offering Nexus users the option to connect automatically to over 1 million free and open Wi-Fi hotspots with the help of Google Assistant.
The announcement was made on Google’s Nexus page and it reveals that Wi-Fi Assistant will help Nexus owners keep their connection speed high and data bill low. Consequently, users will no longer need to use mobile data when they can’t connect to a Wi-Fi network, thus saving them money.
The feature originates from Google’s Project Fi and is now expanding to all Nexus users. But there’s a catch, only users from the United States, Canada, Mexico, the UK and Nordic countries will be able to access the Wi-Fi networks. Google stated that the feature will roll out to users over the next few weeks.
Instructions on how to turn on Wi-Fi Assistant are provided on Google’s support page. Google will be able to automatically connect Nexus devices to free and verified Wi-Fi networks, but users need to enable the service first. They simply need to access the Networking section in Settings and then tap the On switch next to Wi-Fi Assistant.
The measure brings Google one step closer to becoming a wireless provider
While the feature will surely be beneficial to users from those specific countries, it might affect carriers, as users will no longer have to worry about purchasing more mobile data. The measure also brings Google one step closer to becoming a wireless provider and later competing directly against carriers that are now selling Android devices.
Google launched Project Fi in April 2015 and users had to pay $20 per month in order to get access to networks like T-Mobile and Sprint, as well as Wi-Fi hotspots for voice, text and data usage. In June this year, Google added U.S. Cellular and gave up on its invitation policy so that more users could join the network.
